#10 - CEF Solar Conditional Use Permit

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City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of November 22, 2021 Commission Chair Risner called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Risner, Graen, Mueller, Rehkamp, Steil, Vrieze COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Weeks STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Just Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 PM Introduction of new Planning Commissioner Thomas Rehkamp Approve Agenda: M/S/P: Steil/Vrieze moved to approve the agenda. Vote: 6-0, motion carried unanimously. Approve Minutes: M/S/P: Graen/Mueller moved to approve the Planning Commission minutes of October 25th, 2021. Vote: 6-0, motion carried unanimously. Public Hearings: Conditional Use Permit- 10755 50th Street N CEF Lake Elmo Community Solar has applied for a Conditional Use Permit for the construction and operation of a solar farm on the property located at 10755 50th Street N (PID#1102921110003). The proposed solar photovoltaic (“PV”) project has a maximum size of 1,000 kilowatts (“KW”) alternating current (“AC”). The Applicant has a Solar Energy Option Agreement to lease up to 10 acres with the Manzara family to enable construction and operations of the project. Director Just gave staff report and presentation. Staff is recommending approval of the request subject to meeting the conditions of approval listed in this report. Applicant Katelyn Larkin gave presentation: This Application is for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a 1 megawatt solar PV project on approximately 7 acres of land. The Project will be constructed on land currently used for agriculture. No wetlands, forests, or biologically sensitive areas will be impacted by the Project. The Project will not produce any adverse impacts on surrounding properties, as it has been designed to avoid perceptible glare and noise, will not generate traffic or emissions once built. Additionally, the Project will not place any new burdens on City infrastructure, as no new water or sewer utilities are required. Conversely, the Project will support healthier air and soils through local renewable energy generation and use of pollinator habitat in site stabilization. Public hearing opened at 7:23 PM Chris Boylan, 10711 50th Street N, has concerns regarding impact of sound issues and asked for a noise study. Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes;11-22-21